3Doodler Create vs Start: Which Should You Buy?
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3Doodler is one of the best known 3D pen brands for kids on the market. They are extremely popular for kids because these 3D printing pens are so easy to use and safe.
Kids can make almost anything with 3Doodler pens, from funky glasses to little skyscrapers.
3Doodler has a range of pens available and two of their best models are the 3Doodler Create+ and the 3Doodler Start+.
Both pens are perfect for creating arts and crafts projects with the Create+ being aimed for older kids and adults.
If you are not sure which of the 3Doodler pens to buy, then read on and check out our comparison.
Detailed Comparison: 3Doodler Create vs 3Doodler Start
3Doodler have designed a range of different 3D filament pens that are ideal for children and adults.
We tried two of 3Doodler’s most popular pen models, and here is our verdict.
Design And Features
When you look at both the Create and the Start pens, you can instantly spot the difference in design.
The 3Doodler Create+ is a sleek and pen like, while the 3Doodler Start is a bright blue and more appealing to younger kids. They are also different in their build.
The Create+ is much longer and skinnier than the short and thick Start+ pen. Both pens are however designed with ergonomics in mind.
This means that they are very easy to handle when you are creating your 3D pen art.
Generally, both pens work in the same way. You put your plastic filament into the end of the 3D pen and the pen melts the plastic.
You can then easily draw the plastic on paper, glass, metal or other surfaces. This concept is similar to that of a hot glue gun, just with thinner, colored filament.
It’s important to note here that you should only use 3Doodler’s own branded filaments as this is what is recommended by the manufacturer.
Speed Buttons
Both the Create+ and the Start+ 3D pens have a button that allows you to control the flow of the filament.
However, the Create+ pen has two buttons with a slow and fast feature which allows you to pick one of the two different speeds.
The Start+ only has one button with just a single speed option.
One of the biggest differences between the Start and Create pen is that the Start is powered by battery.
In comparison, you need to plug the Create+ into a power socket to get it up and running. This means you can’t use this pen when you are on the road or when you don’t have a socket available.
On the other hand, the Start+ is ideal for projects on the move and it’s also a little easier to handle.
As both pens are designed to be used by children, however the Start+ doesn’t have any exterior hot components. This makes the Start+ extremely safe for youngsters to work with which is why it is rated for kids 6+.
Filament
We already mentioned that you should only use 3Doodler’s filament, but it’s also important to know that you have to use specific plastic sticks for each pen.
You cannot put Start+ sticks into the Create+ pen or vice versa. Unfortunately, neither of the plastic sticks are cheap but you can get a great variety of colors.
For the Create pen, you can even more specialist colors, including wood-look filament which creates a special wood effect.
In addition, the pens also have a temperature switch button which means you can use both ABS and PLA sticks.
Both pens take only half a minute to warm up, and you can also feed the plastic strands into the pens in reverse which means you don’t have to use up a full stick before swapping color.
Price And Availability
As you can see from their different designs, the Create and Start are directed at slightly different age groups.
The Start+ pen is aimed at children between the ages of 6 and 13. This also reflects in the cheaper price.
In comparison, the Create+ is aimed at kids up from 14 years, and it is a little bit pricier than the Start+.
Both pens are widely available online and in craft stores.
- [THE ONLY CHILD-SAFE 3D PRINTING PEN] Designed with no hot parts, completely safe for kids aged 6+. Pen nozzle and plastic can be touched with no burn risks. Uses only the safest 3Doodler Start plastic filaments.
- [UPGRADED EXPERIENCE with MORE PLASTICS & STENCILS] Slimmer and easier to hold, charges 50% faster, has 50% more 3Doodler Start filament, 10 new stencils and an added safety stand-by mode. All these upgrades are made for the best 3D drawing experience.
- [FUN & SCREEN-FREE LEARNING TOOL] Cut back on children's screen time with 3Doodler Start+ and let them enjoy hours of play and learning as they make real-world connections to a variety of STEM concepts in a matter of seconds.
- [3DOODLER IS A NEW CREATIVE MEDIUM] The world is your canvas. Discover a new way to create art, design and personalize objects. This versatile tool can help you design solutions for everyday problems.
- [3D DRAWING EASY AS 1, 2, 3D] Extrude heated plastic that hardens almost instantly, so you can draw 3D structures, freehand or on stencils. Just plug the 3D pen in, insert 3Doodler Create plastic, wait for the 3D pen to heat up and then you're good to go!
- [WHAT'S IN THE BOX] This 3D Pen comes packed with 15 different colors of 3Doodler Create plastic refills & a 林凡叶惜免费阅读 activity guide book.
Performance
When it comes to performance, we tested both quite rigorously and found that the Start+ pen was easier to use than the Create.
The Create occasionally struggled to feed the filament properly.
This meant that nothing would come out now and then when we pressed the button.
Another feature we didn’t like was the cable which was often in the way and we had to constantly move it to freely create our 3D piece.
The Start pen which is battery-powered worked much better in this way. I also felt more comfortable letting my young kids use it without needing to watch them closely because of the heat safe rubber tip.
It’s worthwhile pointing out here that it’s not straightforward to draw very detailed designs with either pen. In fact, I was suprised at how hard 3D pen drawing was when we first started! My kids needed a lot of time to practice and of course were frustrated when their designs didn’t immediately turn out great.
If you are new to 3D pens or 3Doodler, then the company recommends that you check out their 2D templates and starter guides.
Start out with the 2D shapes first, and then work your way up to 3D.
3Doodler also have an iOS and Android app which is helpful for beginners.
If you are looking to make something specific, then check out any templates or molds that you can get online.
3Doodler has a hugely active community that always shares ideas, inspiration and some practical tips.
If you are planning to use the 3D pens with your kids, then it’s a good idea to manage expectations.
Children are quickly drawn into the amazing 3D objects on the packaging but making a skyscraper or the Eiffel Tower takes a fair amount of experience.
So, make sure that you start out with a few simple things first to keep the learning curve for you and your kids as flat as possible.
This will also ensure that you waste a lot less of the expensive filament sticks. Generally, there are a good amount of sticks in the Create+ pen pack.
If you are an adult, then 3Doodler Create+ is a better option when it comes to the pen’s design and performance but it also doesn’t allow you to create hugely sophisticated objects.
Which One Is Best: 3Doodler Create+ Or 3Doodler Start+?
Looking at all the features, design, performance and price, it’s clear that the Create and Start are quite different.
While both pens can be used to draw some simple objects, the 3Doodler Start+ is much more suited to kids aged 6 to 13 years.
Its hands-free design thanks to the battery-powered system allows you to draw freely, and you are not stopped by a wire like with the Create+.
The Create+ is much better for kids from 14 years up but we found that having to plug it into the mains power is a big issue.
It doesn’t just get into the way when you are drawing but you also need to carefully consider where you are doodling.
Saying this, both 3D pens are a great option for education. They are small enough to carry them around and easy enough to store.
They allow kids to express themselves, and with some guidance from adults, children can familiarize themselves with 3D printing.
Where Can You Use The 3Doodler Pens?
3D pens are a fun way to create small 3D objects and there are quite a few different applications for both the Start+ and the Create+.
Classrooms
3D pens are ideal for the classroom. As a teacher, you can create geometrical shapes for Mathematics, and even physical structures in chemistry and biology.
Arts And Crafts
The 3Doodler pens are ideal for creating some basic arts and crafts projects, especially when you are just trying out a few new designs.
Fashion Design
Even modern fashion designers create 3D clothes with 3D pens and plastic filament.
Prototyping
Another popular way to use 3D pens is for prototyping. This could be creating prototypes for new products, small parts or even architectural models.
Almost anything that you can draw on a piece of paper can also be turned into a 3D model to visualize the object better.
Final Thoughts
So, are 3D pens from 3Doodler worth it? Yes, we found that they are definitely a good purchase when you want to fill in blemishes on your 3D print or make adjustments.
They are great fun for children to play with, although you need to be careful that the plastic filament gets used wisely, or you could end up spending a lot of cash on just filament refills.
Both the 3Doodler Starter as well as the 3Doodler Create pen are easy to handle and a worthwhile way for children to learn more about the wonderful world of 3D printing.
Kate is mom of two rambunctious boys and a self-proclaimed super nerd. With a background in neuroscience, she is passionate about sharing her love of all things STEM with her kids. She loves to find creative ways to teach kids computer science and geek out about coding and math. She has authored several books on coding for kids which can be found at Hachette UK.
